A violent protest broke out in Abuja as officers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command responded to the alleged killing of a fashion designer by an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS). The incident occurred when the DSS operative, who had been brought to the victim’s shop by a customer over undelivered clothes, reportedly shot intermittently, injuring several people.
According to a witness in the market, the fashion designer’s colleagues intervened in the argument between the DSS operative, the customer, and the victim. However, the situation escalated, resulting in a gunshot, which claimed the life of the fashion designer and left another person injured. The DSS operative was subsequently arrested and detained at the Wuse Market Police Station.
In response to the incident, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh, issued a statement. She explained that an altercation had occurred at Garki International Market on September 7, 2023, involving market occupants and individuals, including the DSS personnel and the tailor, Muhammad Habibu. The police were alerted to the situation through a distress call reporting the invasion of the market by these individuals, who had fired shots at the tailor named Mubarak Mubarak.
Adeh further clarified that local youths reacted angrily and attempted to confront the DSS personnel. The police intervened to rescue the individuals and maintain public safety. During the incident, there was damage to a section of the Police outpost as some irate youths acted disorderly. However, she noted that some weapons used in the commotion had been recovered, and normalcy was restored.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT, Haruna Garba, emphasized the commitment to maintaining peace and respecting the rights of all citizens within the FCT. He called on market occupants to refrain from engaging in mischief involving public property, especially that belonging to security agencies.
In response to the incident, the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, stated that the secret police was investigating the matter. He mentioned that the DSS FCT Command had responded to an SOS from their field operatives who had allegedly come under a mob attack in Garki Market. Afunanya assured the public that details of the inquiries would be communicated once available, and disciplinary measures would be taken if any staff members were found culpable or in violation of standard operating procedures regarding interactions with the public.
